This week in Christian history: ‘Touchdown Jesus’ destroyed, Howell Harris' born-again experience

Howell Harris has born-again experience – June 18, 1735

This week marks the anniversary of when Howell Harris, a lay preacher who was an important figure in the 18th century Methodist movement in Wales, had a born-again experience.

Born in Trevecka, Wales in 1714, Harris was a schoolmaster and aged 21 when he began to contemplate his spiritual wellbeing after hearing a sermon from his local vicar.

While he engaged in prayer, Harris recounted later that he felt “suddenly my heart melting within me like wax before the fire with love to God my Saviour; and also felt not only love, peace etc., but longing to be dissolved, and to be with Christ.”

“Then was a cry in my inmost soul, which I was totally unacquainted with before, Abba, Father! Abba, Father! I could not help calling God my Father,” Harris continued.

“I knew that I was His child; and that He loved me and heard me. My soul being filled and satiated, crying, ‘Tis enough, I am satisfied. Give me strength and I will follow Thee through fire and water.’”

Harris began his preaching career by holding worship services at his mother’s home, and eventually worked with famed 18th century evangelist George Whitefield.

In a 2015 opinion piece for The Christian Post, Westside Christian Fellowship Pastor Shane Idleman asked, “Where are the Howell Harris', Daniel Rowlands', and Griffith Jones' who preached with such passion during the Welsh revivals of the 18th century that we still honor them today?”